Apparatus and method for estimating the mixing state

Abstract

To provide a kneading state estimation device and method capable of accurately estimating progress of kneading.SOLUTION: A kneading state estimation device 1 is a device for estimating progress of kneading when obtaining a kneaded product by mixing resin and a filler, and includes a kneading state estimation processing portion 24 for calculating tensile strength of the kneaded product on the basis of kneading conditions and estimating the progress of kneading on the basis of the obtained tensile strength of the kneaded product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a kneading state estimation device and method for estimating the progress of kneading. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, viscous resins such as rubber and plastics, before crosslinking, are mixed (kneaded) with various additives and fillers using mixing equipment such as batch-type kneaders to produce the desired material.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a method for analyzing the flow of a compound. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2018-161853 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0005] Traditionally, determining appropriate mixing conditions required repeated test manufacturing and evaluation, which was a significant challenge due to the considerable cost and time involved. To determine appropriate mixing conditions, it is necessary to properly evaluate the changes in the state of the mixed material during mixing, that is, the progress of the mixing process.

[0006] However, the various parameters obtained by the fluid analysis described in Patent Document 1, etc., do not directly evaluate the state change of the mixed material, making it difficult to appropriately evaluate the progress of mixing.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a kneading state estimation device that can accurately estimate the progress of kneading. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for estimating the progress of kneading when obtaining a kneaded product by mixing a resin and a filler, the apparatus comprising a kneading state estimation processing unit that calculates the tensile strength of the kneaded product based on kneading conditions and estimates the progress of kneading based on the obtained tensile strength of the kneaded product, thereby providing a kneading state estimation apparatus.

[0009] Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for estimating the progress of kneading when obtaining a kneaded product by mixing a resin and a filler, the method comprising a kneading state estimation step of calculating the tensile strength of the kneaded product based on kneading conditions and estimating the progress of kneading based on the obtained tensile strength of the kneaded product, thereby providing a kneading state estimation method.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a kneading state estimation apparatus capable of accurately estimating the progress of kneading.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011] [Figure 1] It is a schematic configuration diagram of a kneading state estimation apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram for explaining the process of kneading. [Figure 3] It is a graph showing the measured value of the tensile strength S and the calculated value of the tensile strength S together. [Figure 4] It is a flowchart of a kneading state estimation method according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] (a) is a flowchart of data acquisition processing, and (b) is a flowchart of relationship derivation processing. <了 [Figure 6] It is a flowchart of kneading state estimation processing. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of a display screen displayed on a display in data output processing.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the kneading state estimation device 1 according to this embodiment. The kneading state estimation device 1 is a device that estimates (or evaluates) the progress of kneading when mixing resin and filler. In this embodiment, the kneading state estimation device 1 is configured with a personal computer.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, the kneading state estimation device 1 includes a control unit 2, a storage unit 3, a display unit 4, and an input device 5.

[0015] The control unit 2 is implemented by appropriately combining computing elements such as a CPU, memory, interfaces, software, storage devices, etc. In this embodiment, the control unit 2 includes a setting processing unit 21, a data acquisition processing unit 22, a relationship derivation processing unit 23, a mixing state estimation processing unit 24, a completion time estimation processing unit 25, and a data output processing unit 26. Details of each part will be described later.

[0016] The memory unit 3 is implemented by a predetermined storage area of ​​memory or a storage device. The display unit 4 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and the input device 5 is, for example, a keyboard or mouse. The display unit 4 may be configured as a touch panel, and the display unit 4 may also serve as the input device 5. Furthermore, the display unit 4 and the input device 5 may be configured separately from the mixing state estimation device 1 and be able to communicate with each other via wireless communication or the like. In this case, the display unit 4 or the input device 5 may be a mobile terminal such as a tablet or smartphone.

[0017] (Regarding the ingredients to be mixed) As will be described in detail later, this embodiment formulates the process by which, as mixing progresses, the powdered filler gradually disperses within the fluid resin, resulting in a uniform mixture. Therefore, this embodiment basically assumes the case of mixing a resin (polymer) with a powdered filler. A batch-type mixer is assumed to be used for mixing. Furthermore, as will be described in detail later, magnesium hydroxide was used as the filler in this embodiment, but it is not limited to this, and ceramic powder, metal powder, etc. may also be used as the filler.

[0018] (Regarding parameters that serve as indicators of the progress of mixing) The inventors' research revealed a very strong correlation between the degree of mixing and the tensile strength of the mixed material. For example, in the incomplete state of mixing, the resin and powder (filler) are unevenly mixed, resulting in a low tensile strength. As mixing progresses, the powder (filler) is finely crushed, increasing the contact area between the powder (filler) and the resin, and thus increasing the tensile strength of the mixed material. When the powder (filler) is completely and uniformly dispersed in the resin through mixing, the tensile strength reaches its maximum value and saturates. Therefore, in this embodiment, the tensile strength of the mixed material was used as a parameter to indicate the degree of mixing.

[0019] As shown in Figure 2, the mixing process can be considered in two stages: the mixing process and the dispersion process. In the mixing process, after preheating the mixing equipment, only the resin (polymer) is added and melted. Then, the powdered filler is added in two batches and stirred until it reaches a predetermined temperature or time, thereby uniting the resin and filler. In the subsequent dispersion process, the mixture is kneaded until it becomes uniform. This causes the filler to be finely crushed and dispersed within the resin, resulting in a uniform distribution of the filler within the resin.

[0020] In this embodiment, the progress of the mixing process in the dispersion process (i.e., how uniformly the filler is dispersed in the resin) is estimated from the change in the tensile strength of the mixed material.

[0021] (Formulation of the tensile strength of the compound) The inventors formulated the tensile strength of the compound based on thermofluid dynamics and structural mechanics. More specifically, in this embodiment, the tensile strength S is calculated using equation (1) shown in [Equation 1]. The derivation of equation (1) is described below.

[0022]

number

[0023] In the dispersion process, the domain size L of the filler-rich phase decreases due to the force F exerted by the fluid (resin). Therefore, the decrease in the domain size ΔL of the filler is assumed to be proportional to the force F exerted by the fluid. The filler-rich phase refers to the region containing 10% or more filler (metal powder), which can be obtained by analysis such as EDX. The domain size L of the filler-rich phase is a characteristic length of the filler-rich phase, for example, the maximum width of the filler-rich phase. The decrease in the domain size ΔL of the filler refers to the decrease in domain size L per unit of mixing time Δt.

[0024] Here, it is known that the force F is proportional to the product of the shear stress τ and the square of the domain size L. The shear stress τ is expressed as the product of the material viscosity η and the shear rate γ. Furthermore, as mixing progresses, the domain size L decreases, but there is a limit to how small the domain size L can become, and the minimum domain size L min It can be considered that it converges to [a certain value]. To summarize, the change in domain size dL(t) / dt can be expressed by equation (2) shown in [Equation 2].

[0025]

number

[0026] Here, the tensile strength S of the compound is determined by the surface area (L) of the domains of the filler-rich phase. 2It is proportional to the volume of the domain (L) (as a function of ). 3 Assume that it is inversely proportional to the domain size L(t). Then, as shown in equation (3) below, the tensile strength S of the compound is inversely proportional to the domain size L(t). Note that a is a constant. S(t) = a / {L(t)} ... (3) As shown in equation (3) above, the more uniformly the filler is distributed and dispersed, and the smaller the domain size, the greater the tensile strength S of the mixture. min The tensile strength S of the compound when this is the case is given by the maximum tensile strength S of the compound. max Then, the relationship shown in equation (4) below is obtained. S max = a / L min ...(4) Substituting the relationship between equations (3) and (4) into equation (2) above, we obtain equation (1) shown in [Mathematics 3].

[0027]

number

[0028] Next, we consider extending equation (1) above so that we can calculate the tensile strength S of the compound at each position in the three-dimensional coordinate system within the mixing chamber. The material viscosity η in equation (1) above is expressed by equation (5) shown in [Equation 4].

[0029]

number

[0030] Also, by performing a simulation based on thermofluid dynamics based on kneading conditions (rotor rotation speed N and set temperature Ts), it is possible to obtain the time change of the flow velocity vector distribution and the time change of the temperature distribution of the kneaded resin material at each position of the three-dimensional coordinates (x, y, z) in the kneading chamber of the kneader. That is, by performing a simulation based on the kneading conditions, the flow velocity vector distribution v(x, y, z, t) and the kneaded material temperature T(x, y, z, t) of the kneaded material at each position of the three-dimensional coordinates (x, y, z) in the kneading chamber can be obtained. And the shear rate γ in the above formula (1) can be obtained by the formula (6) shown in [Equation 5] based on the obtained flow velocity vector distribution v(v x v y v z ). Also, the absolute value of the shear rate |γ| can be obtained by the formula (7) shown in [Equation 6]. In the formula (7), i and j represent subscripts corresponding to the x component, y component, and z component in the three-dimensional space represented by the coordinates (x, y, z). For example, γ 1,2 represents γ x,y , γ 1,3 represents γ x,z , and γ 2,3 represents γ y,z .

[0031]

Equation

[0032]

Equation

[0033] From the above formulas (6) and (7), if the time changes of the flow velocity vector distribution v(v x v y v z ) and the kneaded material temperature T are obtained by simulation or the like, the time change of the material viscosity η can be calculated. And the time change of the shear stress τ (=ηγ) can be obtained by the formula (8) shown in [Equation 7]. Furthermore, by using the shear stress τ (=ηγ), the above formula (1) can be extended as shown in the formula (9) of [Equation 8].

[0034]

number

[0035]

number

[0036] By solving equation (9), it is possible to calculate the tensile strength S reached by the kneaded material at any given kneading time t for each position in the three-dimensional coordinate system within the kneading chamber. For example, Euler's method or Runge-Kutta's method can be used to solve the equation.

[0037] Incidentally, the coefficient C' in equation (1) (or equation (9), and so on) above is determined by conducting test manufacturing in advance, changing the mixing conditions to produce the mixture, and fitting the obtained data. In this case, the viscosity constant η0, the temperature coefficient α, and the power exponent n can be obtained by measuring the viscosity of the mixture using a capillary rheometer or the like (the power exponent n may be a fixed value based on experiment and experience). The mixture temperature T can be determined by measurement or by solving the equation of thermofluid dynamics. The shear rate γ can be derived from the relationship γ = kN(t). The shear rate coefficient k in this equation is a coefficient that depends on the shape of the mixer (shape of the mixing chamber and rotor, clearance between the mixing chamber and rotor, etc.) and can be determined in advance by experiment. The tensile strength S of the mixture can be obtained by taking a portion of the mixture, forming it into a sheet, and performing a tensile test. The largest tensile strength S obtained after sufficient mixing is the maximum tensile strength S. max This is the result.

[0038] By pre-determining the coefficient C' through fitting, the tensile strength S of the mixture at each mixing time t (i.e., the change in tensile strength S over time from the start of mixing) can be determined using equation (1) above and the relationship γ=kN(t), based on the rotor rotation speed N and the mixture temperature T. The mixture temperature T can be estimated based on the set temperature Ts, which is a mixing condition. In other words, equation (1) (or equation (9)) above can be considered an equation that expresses the relationship between the mixing conditions (rotor rotation speed N and set temperature Ts) and the amount of change in the tensile strength S of the mixture. If various constants are determined in advance, it becomes possible to calculate the tensile strength S of the mixture from the rotor rotation speed N and the set temperature Ts (or mixture temperature T) using equation (1) above, and to estimate the progress of mixing.

[0039] Figure 3 is a graph showing the measured tensile strength S and the calculated tensile strength S obtained using the above equation (1). In the example in Figure 3, 100 parts by mass of ethylene vinyl acetate was used as the resin, and 200 parts by mass of magnesium hydroxide was used as the filler. A small mixer with a mixing capacity of 6 liters and a two-blade rotor was used as the mixer. During mixing, only the resin was first mixed and melted, then the filler was added in two stages and pre-mixed until the mixture temperature T reached 100°C, at which point the pre-mixing was stopped. After that, the rotor speed N was set to a predetermined value and mixing was carried out until the mixture temperature T reached 150°C.

[0040] Then, when the kneading temperature T was 90°C, 100°C, 110°C, 120°C, 130°C, 140°C, and 150°C, samples of the kneaded material were taken from the kneading room. The acquired samples were pressed into a sheet shape, and the polymer was crosslinked by irradiating it with an electron beam at a dose of 7 [Mrad]. After that, the sheet-shaped sample (1 mm thick) was punched out into the shape of a No. 6 dumbbell, and a tensile test (tensile speed: 250 mm / min) was performed to measure the tensile strength S.

[0041] As shown in Figure 3, the measured and calculated values ​​of tensile strength S agree well, indicating that the tensile strength S can be accurately evaluated using equation (1) above. More specifically, the squared value of the coefficient of determination (correlation coefficient) R, which indicates the magnitude of the correlation between the measured and calculated values ​​of tensile strength S, is... 2 The value was a very large 0.995. Note that Figure 3 also shows the time integral value of shear stress, which has been used conventionally, as well as the squared value of the coefficient of determination (correlation coefficient) R for the measured value of tensile strength S. 2 The value was small, at 0.598. Therefore, it can be said that this embodiment allows for more accurate evaluation of the tensile strength S compared to conventional methods.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the tensile strength S saturates as the mixing progresses, and it can be seen that the progress of mixing can be estimated by how close the tensile strength S approaches its maximum value. More specifically, in equation (1), the shear stress τ = ηγ is used, and both sides are given by S max When we divide by and normalize (normalize) the formula shown in [Equation 9], we obtain equation (10).

[0043]

number

[0044] The index value φ in equation (10) above is S / S max Therefore, the tensile strength S is the maximum tensile strength S max It can be used as an indicator value that shows how close the mixture is to the target, that is, an indicator value that shows the progress of the mixing process.

[0045] (Setting processing unit 21) Returning to Figure 1, the various parts of the control unit 2 will be described in detail. The setting processing unit 21 performs setting processing for various settings of the kneading state estimation device 1. The setting processing unit 21 can set various control-related information, such as the method of data acquisition by the data acquisition processing unit 22 and the date and time of data acquisition. In addition, the setting processing unit 21 can register, update, and delete various information stored in the storage unit 3. Input devices such as the input device 5 can be used to input various types of information.

[0046] (Data acquisition processing unit 22) The data acquisition processing unit 22 performs data acquisition processing (see Figure 5(a)) to acquire various data obtained during the test manufacturing and store them in the storage unit 3. The data acquisition processing unit 22 associates the acquired data with each sample and registers it in the database 31. In this embodiment, the data includes kneading condition data 61, which is data related to kneading conditions including rotor rotation speed N; temperature data 62, which is data related to temperature including the kneaded material temperature T; viscosity data 63, which is data related to viscosity including viscosity constant η0, temperature coefficient α, power exponent n, etc.; tensile strength S and its maximum value S. max Tensile strength data 64, including the above, is acquired by the data acquisition processing unit 22. These various types of data may be input by the input device 5, input from an external device via a network, or acquired directly from the kneader. The data acquisition processing unit 22 may also receive data other than those mentioned above, and the database 31 may contain data other than those mentioned above. Furthermore, the data acquisition processing unit 22 may have a function to display missing data, such as displaying the missing data on the display unit 4.

[0047] Furthermore, the data acquisition processing unit 22 also receives the estimated source data 33, which will be described later, and stores it in the storage unit 3. Details of the estimated source data 33 will be described later.

[0048] (Relational derivation processing unit 23) The relationship derivation processing unit 23 performs relationship derivation processing (see Figure 5(b)) to determine the relationship between the kneading conditions and the change in the tensile strength S of the kneaded material, based on the measured values ​​obtained in the test manufacturing, i.e., the various data registered in the database 31.

[0049] More specifically, the relationship derivation processing unit 23 uses equation (1) above as an equation representing the relationship between the change in the tensile strength S of the compound and the compounding conditions, and derives the coefficient C' in equation (1) based on the measured values. The obtained coefficient C' is stored in the storage unit 3 as coefficient data 32.

[0050] (Kneading state estimation processing unit 24) The kneading state estimation processing unit 24 calculates the tensile strength S of the kneaded material based on the kneading conditions and performs a kneading state estimation process to estimate the progress of kneading based on the obtained tensile strength S of the kneaded material (see Figure 6). In this embodiment, the kneading state estimation processing unit 24 calculates the tensile strength S for each elapsed time (kneading time t) from the start of kneading (i.e., the change in tensile strength S over time from the start of kneading) based on the relationship in equation (1) obtained by substituting the coefficient C' obtained by the relationship derivation processing unit 23 and the kneading conditions from the start of kneading. Note that the kneading state estimation process corresponds to the kneading state estimation step of the present invention.

[0051] The kneading state estimation processing unit 24 uses the kneading conditions input as estimation source data 33 via the input device 5, etc., to calculate the tensile strength S of the kneaded material at the desired kneading time t. The calculated tensile strength S is then the maximum tensile strength S max The progress of mixing is estimated by evaluating how close it is to the target value. The index value indicating the progress of mixing is the aforementioned φ = S / S max This can be used. The kneading state estimation processing unit 24 may be configured to directly determine the index value φ using the above equation (9). The tensile strength S and index value φ of the kneaded material determined by the kneading state estimation processing unit 24 are stored in the storage unit 3 as estimated data 34.

[0052] (End time estimation processing unit 25) The end time estimation processing unit 25 performs an end time estimation process to estimate the time to end the mixing process based on the estimation results of the mixing state estimation processing unit 24. In the end time estimation process, for example, the mixing time t is determined such that the index value φ obtained by the mixing state estimation processing unit 24 is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, and the obtained mixing time t is estimated as the end time of mixing. The estimated end time is stored in the storage unit 3 as estimated data 34, along with the estimation results of the mixing state estimation processing unit 24. Note that the end time estimation processing unit 25 is not mandatory and can be omitted.

[0053] (Data output processing unit 26) The data output processing unit 26 performs data output processing to output estimated data 34, that is, the estimated results of the mixing state estimation processing unit 24 and the completion time estimation processing unit 25. The data output processing unit 26 may be configured to present the estimated data 34 to an administrator or the like by displaying it on the display unit 4. The data output processing unit 26 may also be configured to transmit the estimated data 34 to an external device.

[0054] (Method for estimating the mixing state) Figure 4 is a flowchart of the mixing state estimation method according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 4, first, in step S1, a setting process is performed. In the setting process, for example, setting data is input from an input device 5, and the setting processing unit 21 performs various settings according to the input setting data, as well as data update processing associated with the various settings.

[0055] After the setup process in step S1, in step S2, the control unit 2 determines whether new data has been input. If it is determined to be No (N) in step S2, it returns (returns to step S1). If it is determined to be YES (Y) in step S2, the data acquisition process is performed in step S3.

[0056] In the data acquisition process of step S3, as shown in Figure 5(a), in step S31, the data acquisition processing unit 22 receives various data, namely the actual measured values ​​during the test manufacturing, i.e., the kneading condition data 61, temperature data 62, viscosity data 63, and tensile strength data 64. Then, in step S32, the data acquisition processing unit 22 associates the received data and registers it in the database 31 and stores it in the storage unit 3. After that, it returns.

[0057] After the data acquisition process in step S3, the relationship derivation process is performed in step S4. In the relationship derivation process, as shown in Figure 5(b), in step S41, various data in the database 31 are applied to the above equation (1) to perform fitting and derive the coefficient C'. Then, in step S42, the derived coefficient C' is stored in the storage unit 3 as coefficient data 32.

[0058] After the relationship derivation process in step S4, the kneading state estimation process is performed in step S5. In the kneading state estimation process, as shown in Figure 6, the kneading conditions to be estimated are input as the source data 33 from the input device 5 or the like (step S51). The source data 33 may be input by the input device 5, or it may be input from an external device via a network or the like. In step S52, the kneading state estimation processing unit 24 determines whether the source data 33 has been input. If it is determined to be No (N) in step S52, step S52 is repeated (i.e., wait until the source data 33 is input).

[0059] If Yes (Y) is determined in step S52, in step S53 the kneading state estimation processing unit 24 applies the estimation source data 33 to the above equation (1) to calculate the change in tensile strength S over time from the start of kneading, that is, the tensile strength S at each time interval (for each kneading time t) from the start of kneading. Then, in step S54, based on the obtained tensile strength S, the change in index value φ over time from the start of kneading, that is, the index value φ (=S / S) at each time interval (for each kneading time t) from the start of kneading is calculated. max The tensile strength S and the index value φ are calculated. This index value φ is a parameter that represents the progress of the mixing. The time interval for calculating the tensile strength S and the index value φ in steps S53 and S54 is, for example, 10 seconds or more and 20 seconds or less. Then, in step S55, the calculation results of the tensile strength S and the index value φ are stored in the storage unit 3 as estimated data 34 and returned.

[0060] After the mixing state estimation process in step S5, the completion time estimation process is performed in step S6. In the completion time estimation process, the completion time estimation processing unit 25 finds the mixing time t at which the index value φ is equal to or greater than a preset threshold, and determines the obtained mixing time t as the mixing completion time. The obtained mixing completion time is stored in the storage unit 3 as estimated data 34.

[0061] After the completion time estimation process in step S6, data output processing is performed in step S7. In the data output processing, for example, the data output processing unit 26 presents the estimated data 34 to the administrator, etc., by displaying it on the display unit 4. After that, it returns (returns to step S1).

[0062] (Example of a display screen) Here, an example of a display screen shown on the display unit 4 during data output processing is shown in Figure 7. As shown in Figure 7, the display screen 41 has a main display unit 411 that displays estimated data 34. Here, the main display unit 411 displays the calculation results of tensile strength S for each mixing time t in a graph, and the calculation results of tensile strength S and index value φ at the mixing time t where the cursor 410 is placed are displayed as a pop-up bubble 411a. The mixing completion time is also displayed in the graph. The display screen 41 also has a sub-display unit 412 that displays the source data 33. In the sub-display unit 412, the mixing conditions (such as rotor speed N and mixing temperature T) set as the source data 33 are displayed in graph format, and the numerical values ​​of each parameter at the mixing time t where the cursor is placed are displayed. The sub-display unit 412 may also be configured to display the setting values ​​of other parameters, such as viscosity parameters, as appropriate. The display screen 41 also has a parameter setting unit 413. This example shows a case where the threshold value φ, which indicates the end of mixing, can be selected, but the configurable parameters can be changed as appropriate. Although not shown in the figure, it is also possible to display the numerical values ​​of various parameters, such as the coefficient C' in equation (1). Note that the display screen 41 shown in Figure 7 is merely an example, and the displayed parameters and various display formats can be changed as appropriate.

[0063] (modified version) In the above embodiment, the case in which the kneading state estimation device 1 is configured as a personal computer was described, but it is not limited to this, and for example, the kneading state estimation device 1 may be configured as a network device such as a server. In this case, the kneading state estimation device 1 may be configured to communicate with a predetermined terminal device, such as a data management terminal device, and to receive various data from the terminal device. Alternatively, the estimated data 34 estimated by the kneading state estimation device 1 may be transmitted to the terminal device, and the estimated data 34 may be presented on the terminal device.

[0064] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case where the kneading state estimation device 1 is composed of a single personal computer, etc., it is not limited to this, and for example, some of the functions of the kneading state estimation device 1 may be installed on another personal computer, etc. In other words, the kneading state estimation device 1 does not need to be composed of a single piece of hardware, and may be composed of multiple pieces of hardware. Also, the kneading state estimation device 1 may be integrated with a control device that controls the kneader.

[0065] Furthermore, although the above embodiment describes a case where the estimation source data 33 is input by the input device 5, the system is not limited to this. The rotor rotation speed N and the temperature of the kneaded material T may be measured in the kneader, the measured rotor rotation speed N and the temperature of the kneaded material T may be acquired as estimation source data 33, and the tensile strength S of the kneaded material may be estimated in real time based on the acquired estimation source data 33. In this case, the completion time estimation processing unit 25 may determine that kneading is complete when the index value φ exceeds a threshold, and the data output processing unit 26 may notify the operator or others that kneading has been determined to be complete, or output a signal to the kneader to end kneading, thereby ending the kneading.

[0066] (Operation and Effects of the Embodiment) As described above, the kneading state estimation device 1 according to this embodiment includes a kneading state estimation processing unit 24 that calculates the tensile strength S of the kneaded material based on the kneading conditions and estimates the progress of kneading based on the obtained tensile strength S of the kneaded material.

[0067] This makes it possible to accurately estimate the progress of mixing according to the mixing conditions. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately estimate the completion time of mixing, for example, or to use this information in the design of the mixing machine's rotor. Furthermore, it becomes possible to determine appropriate mixing conditions at low cost and in a short time without having to repeat test manufacturing and evaluation as in the past.

[0068] (Summary of the embodiments) Next, the technical concept understood from the embodiments described above will be described using the reference numerals and other symbols from the embodiments. However, the reference numerals and other symbols in the following description are not limited to the components in the claims that are specifically shown in the embodiments.

[0069] [1] A kneading state estimation device (1) for estimating the progress of kneading when mixing a resin and a filler to obtain a kneaded product, comprising a kneading state estimation processing unit (24) that calculates the tensile strength of the kneaded product based on the kneading conditions and estimates the progress of kneading based on the obtained tensile strength of the kneaded product.

[0070] [2] A kneading state estimation device (1) according to [1], comprising a relationship derivation processing unit (23) that determines the relationship between the change in the tensile strength of the kneaded product and the kneading conditions based on data obtained in a test production in which the kneading conditions are changed, and a kneading state estimation processing unit (24) that calculates the tensile strength for each elapsed time from the start of kneading based on the relationship obtained by the relationship derivation processing unit (23) and the kneading conditions from the start of kneading.

[0071] [3] The kneading state estimation device described in [2], wherein the above relationship is expressed by equation (1) above.

[0072] [4] The kneading state estimation device (1) according to [1], further comprising an end time estimation processing unit (25) that estimates the time to end kneading based on the estimation result of the kneading state estimation processing unit (24).

[0073] [5] The kneading state estimation device (1) described in [1], wherein the kneader used for kneading is a batch type kneader.

[0074] [6] A method for estimating the progress of mixing when mixing a resin and a filler to obtain a compound, comprising a mixing state estimation step of calculating the tensile strength of the compound based on mixing conditions and estimating the progress of mixing based on the obtained tensile strength of the compound.

[0075] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments described above do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. In addition, the present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from its spirit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1… Mixing state estimation device 2…Control Unit 21…Setting Processing Unit 22...Data acquisition processing unit 23...Relational Derivation Processing Unit 24… Mixing state estimation processing unit 25... End time estimation processing unit 26...Data output processing unit 3...Storage section 31…Database 32…Coefficient data 33… Estimated source data 34…Estimated data

Claims

1. A device for estimating the progress of mixing when a resin and filler are mixed to obtain a compound, A kneading state estimation processing unit calculates the tensile strength of the kneaded material based on the kneading conditions and estimates the progress of kneading based on the obtained tensile strength of the kneaded material, The system includes a relationship derivation processing unit that determines the relationship between the change in the tensile strength of the kneaded product and the kneading conditions, based on data obtained in a test production where the kneading conditions are changed to produce the kneaded product. The kneading state estimation processing unit calculates the tensile strength of the kneaded material for each elapsed time from the start of kneading, based on the relationship represented by equation (1) shown in [Equation 1] obtained by the relationship derivation processing unit and the kneading conditions from the start of kneading. A device for estimating the mixing state. [Math 1]

2. Based on the estimation results of the aforementioned kneading state estimation processing unit, the system includes an end time estimation processing unit that estimates the time to end the kneading process. The kneading state estimation device according to claim 1.

3. The mixing machine used for mixing is a batch-type mixing machine. The kneading state estimation device according to claim 1.

4. A method for estimating the progress of mixing when a resin and a filler are mixed to obtain a compound, A mixing state estimation step is performed, in which the tensile strength of the kneaded material is calculated based on the kneading conditions, and the progress of kneading is estimated based on the obtained tensile strength of the kneaded material. The system includes a relationship derivation process that determines the relationship between the change in the tensile strength of the kneaded product and the kneading conditions, based on data obtained in a test manufacturing process in which the kneading conditions are changed to produce the kneaded product. The kneading state estimation step calculates the tensile strength of the kneaded material at each elapsed time from the start of kneading, based on the relationship represented by equation (1) shown in [Equation 1] obtained in the relationship derivation step and the kneading conditions from the start of kneading. Method for estimating the mixing state. [Math 1]

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